United States prosecutors have accused a Russian woman of being a Russian agent. The officials say she used sex and deception to make connections with influential Americans. The woman, Maria Butina, was observed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a private meeting with a Russian diplomat. The diplomat is suspected of being a spy in the U.S.

Prosecutors also said she had contact information for people believed to be employees of Russia’s Federal Security Services, or FSB. It is the successor to the KGB, the spy agency of the former Soviet Union.

The Justice Department prosecutors made the charges in court documents asking a judge to keep Butina in custody. She is living in the U.S. under a student visa.

Over the weekend, she was arrested and accused of infiltrating American organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA). She is also accused of gathering intelligence for a top Russian official.

Butina also helped establish a gun rights organization modeled on the NRA in 2012.

The NRA has not commented on the charges.

The government argues that Butina is likely to flee the U.S. Prosecutors said that her lease on an apartment ends later this month. Her belongings were packed at the time of her arrest.

They added that her personal ties are to Russia and Americans she wanted “to exploit and influence.

Aliqismet BADALOV,

 “Khalq qazeti”